The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-18

If woman's influence could have saved
him, he would have been saved.
:" have seen her home taken from her
Her children and herself wandering from
one place to another, as she could best
earn their support and this man, seem
ingiy devoid of human feeling, leaving
her to her own resources, while wealthy
relations cared for him.
This woman was very near and dear
TO me, and nothing upon earth could in
duee me to put myselfin subsection to the
possibility of such fate. You have my
true friendship, my best wishes for your
welfare, my sincere prayers that you may
conquer in this fiery trial, but | dare not
give you more. God only knows how
hard this is for me to say TO you; how will
lingly | would share your fate in poverty,
in any ordinary trial of life but dare
not, for my own souls sake, say | take
your life, whatever if may be, for mine.
And so, Harry, let us speak of this no
more"
She held ont her hand. He caught
it. He drew her impulsively toward him.
He held her for an instant, closely
Margaret" he said, +" let me kiss you
once
And before she could reply his
burning lips touched her pure, cool
brow.
God bless you, Margaret, whatever be-
comes of me :"
Ia another instant he was gone.
She passed through the garden-walk
into the pleasant porch, and stood "A mo-
ment before the open parlor-window,
where an old gentleman rested in an easy
chair
1T is lovely night, father" she said
g but ! will go to my room, believe.
| am very weary tonight. Good night"
Good night, my daughter
And Margaret went as usual with her
stately stepto her chamber-door, but once
within its solitude, and the proud, resolv-
ed spirit Was bowed in bitter sorrow.
How she had loved this man And her
whole frame shook with the sobs she
dared not vent loudly, and the tears
rushed down the proud, beautiful face.
Must she thus condemn him, and was
there no hope for him?
He was student of medicine, and
studying Of late with her father, and an
eager, apt student. He had come into
the quiet life of this girl as a bright sun
beam His quick, active intellect aroused
her from the ordinary routine of her usu-
al life
His tastes harmonized with her own,
and she had given him her heart en-
tirely.
Then, one day, she learned that the fa-
tai habit of stimulating his energies when
exhausted by studyor fatigue had become
a necessity to him. and the interview we
have just related was the decision which
she had arrived at
She was girl of no ordinory character.
Her clear, good sense, with the intimate
knowledge of her friends life, taught her
TO doubt the influence she could WELD
against the Juggernaut, whose victims
can never be numbered.
Harry Norton left the village for the
distractions of a life in great city. Now
and then news came of him as clever,
successful practitioner, accompanied by
doubtful surmises as TO certain changes
in his life-vague speeches, meaning, per-
haps, much or little.
Margaret's life flowed quietly on her
father, yielding TO the infrnities of old
age, demanded her whole care and atten-
ton.
Perhaps close observers might detect
shade of.sadness now and then in those
clear, grey eyes, but she was not one of
those who live solely for their own pleas
ure, and no one in all the village was
more relied upon in sorrow or trouble
as kind sympathizer than she.
A young clergyman who settled in the
parish was soon observant of this strong,
self-reliant nature-this tender daughter
and kind friend. Margaret was not d jom
ed to live solitary life. She found
much to esteem in Mr. Elden, and at last
much to love; and one bright spring
morning she stood with him at the viii
lage altar as his bride.
As she entered the carriage packet
was given to her, and opening it, she
found wedding gift-a brooch formed
of large, pure pearl, finely set, and a
letter.
The letter was as follows:
MAnGAREr:-You are pearl among
all others in my memory, and beg You
to accept this symbol of yourself as gift
from an old friend. You were right,
Margaret-no man, knowing himself
slave to intenperance, should ever tempt
a woman 10 share its curse, What can !
write you of my life9 Only that there are
times when am mad-when no reason
remains to me-and then ! come out of
this valley of the shadow of death, and |
Sct YOU stltilSf Puic, So iai away tipih
me. Your words come back 10 me, and
know you were right when you chose TO
walk apart from one so unworthy. DO
not believe that do not struggle, but a
power stronger than | controls me- !
can rejoice in your happiness, and |
know that | was once blessed with your
love-that my true self was once dear to
YOU But purity, rectitude were dearer
to,you than all else, and he who faile of
these could not hold possession of your
heart That one worthy to be your guide,
your staff through life has won you,
awakens no selfish feeling in my heart.
have said that | can--I do rejoice in
your happiness
Happy bride though she was, tears fill
ed her eyes. She pitied him very ten
derby, and pitied him all the more be-
cause of her own happiness.
The years rolled quietly on with her;
children were given TO her love and care.
In the pleasant village home where her
childish days were passed she lived the
contented life of happy wife and
mother.
1t WAS towards the close of bright
summer day that Mr.. Elden came slowly
up the garden walk, and Margaret, has
tening with tender welcome to greet him,
saw at once, from his face, that he bore
unwonted news.
l. ~.